Author: Olga Pomeransky

Olga is manager at Best for Bride since 2005. Currently Best for Bride operates 4 bridal stores in Canada (Toronto, Etobicoke, Hamilton and Barrie). Best for Bride sells wedding, bridemaids, mob dresses and more. http://www.BestForBride.com

Anyone can photograph fireworks as long as they plan
and have some essential camera accessories. This blog post will teach you the
basics of how to photograph fireworks
yourself.

The first step is to choose the perfect location.
Consider where the fireworks will be displayed and then plan out a strategic
spot. None of the advice in this guide will help if you choose a poor shooting
location.

Take a lay of the land by taking into consideration the angle of the photograph and the potential backdrop. For instance, fireworks viewed against the night sky are brilliant to the naked eye, but that would make for a boring photograph. Instead, you might capture a building behind the fireworks – or maybe a city skyline in the distance!

You’ll also need to get to the spot early to claim
your spot. Remember that the view needs to be unobstructed.

Here are some other preparations that you need to
make:

1. Create a Schedule: It’s easy to get distracted and forget things.
Creating a schedule will prevent that from happening. It helps to prepare
yourself better.

2. Pack your Gear: Create a checklist of the necessary gear for your
shoot and be sure to pack it all.

3. Know the Technique: You’ll want to make sure your camera settings are
set before the fireworks start.

How to Photograph Fireworks – Seven
Powerful Ways

Now let’s discuss the techniques for photographing fireworks.

Switch Off Flash and Set Your Camera to Manual ModeThere are so many amateurs who will try taking photos of fireworks while leaving their flash turned on. This is usually done by accident because they leave their camera on automatic mode. Your first step is to make sure your camera is in manual mode.

Once in manual mode, set your camera to an ISO of 200 with an aperture between f/8 and f/13. Usually, f/11 will suffice. That way, all you will need to worry about on location will be the shutter speed. In most cases, a shutter speed of between 1 to 4 seconds is enough.

Use a Tripod You must have a tripod to capture fireworks since the camera will need to remain motionless. Each shot will take several seconds, so there is no way you can stay motionless while holding the camera. Furthermore, you will be taking hundreds of shots in succession. But you don’t need to invest in a fancy tripod here. You will be able to take the picture comfortably as long as the tripod is sturdy and doesn’t shake.

Invest in Remote Release DeviceOne problem that people run into a lot when photographing fireworks is that their tripod shakes a bit when they press the capture button on their camera. Invest in a remote release device to prevent this. Most digital cameras will have an accessory that is designed for remote capturing. The only other option would be to use the timer on the camera, but that’s hit or miss. Just go ahead and invest in a remote release.

Set the Right Exposure Setting the right exposure requires some trial and error. Set the range to f/13 and take a picture to determine how exposed the shot is. Then adjust the camera accordingly. If the shot is underexposed, then lower the setting to f/12 and try again. Repeat until you reach the perfect exposure.

Although this should be tested before the fireworks start lighting up the night sky, pay close attention to your first few shots and be prepared to adjust the camera on the fly.

·
Use
Manual Focus
The above
settings are quite optimal for fireworks, but you might need to make slight
adjustments. That’s why it’s highly recommended that you put your focus on
manual and then adjust it yourself. You don’t want your camera trying to
refocus itself after every shot. You’ll end up with a ton of blurry images.
Using manual focus will create consistent shots. The only time you’ll have to
refocus is when you change the angle of shots. Otherwise, it will remain the
same throughout the entire shoot. Photographing fireworks is a bit of a lottery
so the more shots you can take, the higher your chances of capturing the
perfect moment.

· Use Drone to Photograph FireworksDrones present us with a unique opportunity to capture the best fireworks photos, but there is a challenge. Many times, the operator will need to be certified to fly drones in a populated area. However, never attempt this without checking the local laws in the area.

With that said, drones can capture angles and create backdrops that are impossible from the ground. In most cases, if you want to use drones to capture fireworks, you’ll need to hire a company that specializes in drone photography. You can also buy fireworks images from companies like The Video Caddy.

·
Frame
Your Shot
Proper framing is
an essential skill in photography. You will have to worry about framing once
the fireworks start blasting off into the sky. Then use the zoom feature on
your camera to reframe until you have the desired effect. For instance, if you
are taking fireworks photos in a big city where buildings are lit up around
you, then it might be a good idea to capture one of those building in your
frame.

Getting the Perfect Shot

Now that you’ve seen the techniques required to learn how to photograph fireworks, let’s recap everything we’ve learned:

1. Find the right location and get there in advance to
secure it before the fireworks begin.

2. Use a tripod and remote release device to capture
your images.

3. Put your camera on full manual mode and turn off
the flash.

4. Set the exposure on your camera and take a few test
shots to make sure it’s right.

Grooms act tough and all
that, but the reality is, they actually enjoy planning the wedding with you,
their soon-to-be wives. Of course, there are some things that they are more
likely to help on. The ten mentioned here are just the tip of the iceberg.

1. Planning the Honeymoon

Men love to spoil their
fiancées. What better way to do that than with the honeymoon? Think of sun,
sand, and just each other’s company—it’syour dream vacation. Trust that your fiancé won’t botch this
up. Plus rewarding him early on with a fun job makes him more inclined to help
in the more arduous tasks.

2. Food Tasting

Trying out different caterers
is a guaranteed fun experience for both of you, maybe more so for him. Not only
is there free food, but also the gourmet options are going to be as diverse as
his appetite. With regard to the cake, the groom will probably not care what it
looks like, but he wants to make sure that the taste is to his liking.

3. Stocking the Bar

You can bet that the groom will have a lot of opinions regarding the beverage and cocktail selections at the bar. Men love their booze. From wine to whiskey, it’s their social lubricant to celebrate the good times and to mull over the bad ones. He just wants to make sure that the bar serves up quality drinks to your guests.

4. Picking the Music

Choosing the musical act and
curating the playlist for the reception is one of the easier tasks. Grooms only
have to choose between a DJ or a wedding band and a list of songs to set the
mood of the party. You never know—he just might surprise you with a special
song from your past.

5. Creating the Registry

Grooms aren’t so much keen on shopping, but like most people, they love to receive gifts too. Registries help your guests know what kind of present you prefer. This could be furniture, kitchen supplies, or even a honeymoon fund. It’s totally up to you! Once you’ve reached a mutual decision as a couple, the groom can set the registry online and keep your guests updated.

6. Choosing the Bridal Car

When it comes to cars, you won’t even have to convince the
groom. While he may not be a “car guy,” men are usually drawn to cars more than
women. He would definitely want a say on this one. Think of this as the groom’s
wedding gown. It’s white, shiny, and has to be the center of everyone’s
attention.

7. Suiting Up

Men love to dress up
too—maybe not as much as women, but they do enjoy it. Allow your groom to decide
what he wants to wear on your wedding day. Give notes on the color and style of
the suit, but give him the final say. He’ll also be in charge of making sure
his entourage getsfitted and accessorized. The groom will have a good time since
he’s in the company of his best buds.

8. Writing His Vows

If your man is a Casanova
with words, crafting his wedding vows will be a walk in the park. This is a
task that simply cannot be delegated to somebody else. Vows are deeply personal
and therefore should be written by the groom alone. He will be baring his love
in front of your family and friends. Prepare to be overcome with emotions.

9. Choosing His Groomsmen

Choosing the people who will stand by him in one of the biggest days of his life is a huge responsibility, but grooms welcome this challenge with a smile. They get to invite friends they’ve known for a long time and close relatives they haven’t seen in a while. The wedding becomes a reunion of sorts for him.

10. Buying Gifts

For his groomsmen, that is.
Taking a break from work or some other responsibility to attend a wedding is a
big task. The least that grooms can do is to make up for the time and effort
with a simple token of appreciation. For some,getting groomsmen gifts is a cool way to poke fun at their
entourage with some silly items.

You have finally found your lover whose laughter is a question you want to spend your entire life answering, right? Well, whether you plan to tie the knot on an elegant mountain resort or a closer-to-home escape, a destination wedding offers you and your spouse an extended vacation.

You have to plan your destination lest you get overwhelmed. Are you uncertain where to start in planning for your soon coming destination wedding? Don’t worry. Here are 9 sure tips to planning a successful destination wedding.

1. Envision Your Big DayWhen destination wedding comes calling your name, wedding planner experts advice that you should think big. You should ensure that the demands of a destination wedding get along with your vision.

Factor in your budget, guest list to get the whole picture. Once you understand the entire picture of the event, then you can quickly work on small details such as your style, theme, colors, and design.

2. Select a Destination That Works For You and Your GuestsWell, it’s essential to pick the right location for your big day. You probably would wish to tie the knot in a stunning private island somewhere, but how about your guests? Are they able to get there hustle free?

What about the travel concerns and complexity of the journey to get there? Basically, if the trip to your destination is too long, chances are your event will be boring. You won’t want your family and friends to be left with dull memories of your big day either. A perfect destination for both parties should be your priority.

3. Check Out Your Wedding Destination EarlyAlthough it might cost you some additional bucks, taking a scouting trip will give you a destination wedding the way you dream it.

You should plan to visit venues and meet local vendors to ensure everything slides well into your vision. A scouting trip will also give you first-hand experience and identify any concerns which need to be streamlined in advance.

4. Engage a Travel AgentOne of the undeniable truths about planning your dream wedding is that you can’t do it all by yourself. You got to seek assistance while arranging travel to your destination. Travel agent services prove to be extremely helpful in offering ideal travel deal for you and your guests.

A good travel agent can design your travel to minimize the number of stopovers when flying to your destination. Some travel agents also partner with various destinations to negotiate for discounts for their clients when they engage them for travel arrangements. Be quick to grab such money saving tips–the savings will certainly come in handy later.

5. Consider the BudgetEverything revolves around the budget–location, time of year and how long the festivities can last.

The costs you incur sometimes depend on if you’re traveling during peak-season versus low-season or during a holiday weekend.

Let’s keep prices lower. Once the location is set, you need to find an all-inclusive resort with wedding packages that fit the couples’ budget. If you consider the stunning ceremony venue, a bouquet, boutonniere at Beaches, there is a way you can get wedding free of charge. When you choose their honeymoon getaway package for 3 days, you get a free wedding.

What a money saver! The more you stay, the more you save.

6. Hire a Wedding PlannerHiring another pair of hands for your destination wedding can save you time, money and unnecessary headaches. There is a whole lot of logistical things behind the scenes with a destination wedding. You need a good planner to make it happen and will help you with the right connections for everything you want your day to be.

She or he will advise you on any legal requirements for getting married at your chosen location, offer guidelines for hiring vendors, help you with accommodation rates negotiations and much more. If your chosen destination is in a country where the natives are non-English speakers, then a bilingual is more recommended to facilitate the entire process.

7. Create a Wedding WebsitePresumably, you have guests from all over the world. A wedding website that shares useful information makes saves you much stress. This is a place for you to provide details regarding any pre- or post-wedding events. Include the wedding planner’s information here along with any other travel tips as well.

8. Get Married (Legally)The legality of the marriage is also a detail the couple should plan. Get all the legal requirements that go with the wedding to ensure that you are not on the other side of the law. As far as local marriages requirements are concerned, you can always consult with the local venue for guidance.

9. Celebrate Your Big DayAside from post-wedding honeymoon getaway gorgeous experiences, a destination wedding is always a great way for both families and friends to come together in jubilation. Ensure that you factor in luxurious packages for you and your guests to spur memories of your great day. How about an all-Inclusive resort in Negril, Jamaica?

A destination wedding is a host of unique experiences which comes with tiresome planning, but it’s well worth it! So enjoy your destination wedding by following these tips. Oh, and don’t forget to share some decent pics!

The decisions leading up to the wedding can feel overwhelming and time-pressing, so make sure you are looking and thinking long-term in your planning as you embark on your new married life as a couple.

We compiled a list of the Top Wedding Planners in Toronto and GTA to help you find an event planner that will bring your dream wedding to life! We have also created a 12 Month Wedding Planning Checklist you can find at the bottom!